The many truths of reality
Which ones are you focused on?
Hello there! I know; I haven’t been consistent lately with my weekly sparks.
I’ve started working on my master-level coaching certification, which has taken much of my time. I did Module 1 and 2 a few years back; they were delicious trainings and have been the foundation for my coaching work. But if I may say, Module 3 has been richer, juicier and even more exquisite than I could have imagined. The following seven months will be filled with exciting deep learning as I continue refining my skills as a developmental coach.
If you are curious, the developmental coaching methodology I use with clients to help them create the change they seek to make and reach their goals is from Integral Coaching Canada, located in Ottawa.
And without further ado.
A simple yet profoundly challenging concept to master is the concept of reality.
Reality is hugely malleable; it takes different forms depending on the perspective through which it is viewed and experienced.
According to integral theory, we can categorize each perspective into increasing orders of complexity from 1st-person, 2nd-person, 3rd-person, to 4th-person, and so on.
In sticking with the first four perspectives:
The 1st-person perspective focuses on the self only. Their reality accounts solely for their needs.
The 2nd-person perspective focuses on the self and others in the context of a family, group, team, tribe, community, country, nation, etc. Their reality accounts for the needs of others that belong to the same collective.
The 3rd-person perspective focuses on all of us, which goes beyond the self and the collective. Their reality accounts for the needs of everyone equally and universally.
The 4th-person perspective can reflect on all the previous ones, see partial truth in all of them, and bring them together in an integral way. Their reality allows for taking in what is valid for all realities.
Every moment, every breath, every experience and circumstance is perceived through these lenses.
The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-person perspectives see their reality, their way of looking at the world, as the only true and correct view.
It doesn't take much to realize that two people perceiving the same event from these different lenses can lead to conflict, differences of opinion, and even sometimes, oppression.
As leaders, the trick is to recognize our gap and choose to develop our abilities to take on more complex and rich perspectives, and eventually, conclude that every view contains a bit of truth and validity, and only by honouring all these truths instead of denying them can we move on to solving our most complex problems.
Miguel,
Sparknotion — Think Differently.